By Xinhua,
Hong Kong : The Bank of China (BOC) Wednesday officially released the Olympics commemorative bank notes in Hong Kong dollar.
The BOC Hong Kong issued 3.14 million sets of 20 Hong Kong dollars ($2.56) in five different combinations for sale at six designated centres.
To control long queues, bank authorities issued purchase passes to willing buyers who had been queuing up from Monday afternoon.
BOC Hong Kong unveiled the special note last week.
The front features a picture of a Greek pillar, the Beijing 2008 logo and the Bank of China tower in Hong Kong. On the reverse is the image of the Beijing Olympic stadium, also called the “Bird’s Nest” after its architectural shape.
Brisk resell trade in the commemorative notes started immediately.
A pass entitling the holder to buy all five packages was offered for sale on the Internet for 7,000 Hong Kong dollars, while sets of the more coveted 35 uncut notes, which cost 1,388 Hong Kong dollars, were being offered for up to 16,000 Hong Kong dollars.
But there were also those who wanted to keep the bills as a piece of history.
“I bought all the five categories of notes as part of my private collection. I am interested because it carries a lot of history. It is the first time that China will host the Olympic Games,” said a youth surnamed Chan.